Araman turned his attentions to Brea who was watching him. Her eyebrows were pulled together as though she were thinking.
“What is it?” He brushed a stray curl from her eyes.
“Your mother referred to Elyk.”
Araman shook his head not understanding. “Elyk Llehc’Tim is the guardian of the sun.” He thought out loud. “What of him?”
“The Sun of Elyk was a long ago legend. It spoke of the next guardian of Shinwa who was described with hair of gold, eyes of silver and skin the color of the sun. He would be born out of fire and earth , but emerge from the waters. I had not thought of the legend since I was a child.” She gave a shrug. “ I imagine he would look like you.” She smiled up at him.
She slid her hands around his torso and rested her head on his chest. Brea listened to her heartbeat. His arms came about her protectively and tightly. The solid feeling of his body against hers warmed her.
“Shall we go cleanse Lyra and then become Chatam Pritam in the eyes of the Shinwa council?” Araman asked her in a deep low voice. There was something in his tone that made her head rise up. “It’s what I came to ask you earlier.”
Brea drew back and searched his blue eyes. “You wish to do the ritual. This has nothing to do with the council.” A smile tugged at her lips. “This is for your heart.” She stepped back and took his hand.
She cocked her head to one side and brushed aside a stray spiral. “I will not be locked away and left behind?”
“Only if it is your wish to do so.”
Brea looked over to the mouth spewing hues of pink and silver slivers. “I have only ever been told the waters will carry you.”
Araman gave her hand a squeeze, “Then let’s ride them together.” He led her inside the pink light.
Chapter Fourteen
The water felt like rose petals softly brushing up against Brea’s skin as she stood facing Araman in the middle of the warm humid cave. A thick steamy fog rolled about them like heavy blue storm clouds. She felt her hands reach out and take his as sweat started to pour from his brow. Both bodies became slick with their saltwater. Araman pulled Brea closer to him as he could smell cinnamon permeate his senses. His hand found the small of her back and the other roamed up to her hair. His hands needed to feel the heat of her skin underneath his fingers.
The fog lifted to a hot steam blasting around them. Araman found it hard to pull the wet air into his lungs as he lifted his head. His breathing became ragged as he clutched his chest.
“It is like this after the rains.” Brea whispered. “Your human body is not accustomed to it. Breath in pushing out your stomach and breath out pulling in your stomach.” She showed him. Araman followed her instructions while commanding his body to accept the air. After a couple of tries his breathing became easier and his chest no longer hurt.
Brea reached up and pulled his forehead down to meet with hers. Energy flared like lightening striking as their third eyes met joining and locking together their chakkras. Her body jerked against his hard body as their auras began to connect. They knew nothing but the sensation of each other; energy and thoughts intermingling as the magma cores melted into each other to become one.
Mist the hue of soft pink settled about them as droplets of water washed over their entwined bodies. The light sprinkle above became a shower of silky rain washing away their salt as they both raised their faces welcoming the cool spray.
The water they stood in flared up around them as it ebbed back leaving Brea and Araman standing in a basin of rock. A warm wind swirled about them drying their wet bodies. Araman stepped back still holding Brea by the hands. His eyes were still held with hers.
A grinding and vibrating shook the rock as it conformed itself into a staircase from large stones. They both looked to see an opening form as a bright light shone through. Two male figures emerged from the doorway holding bundles in their arms and stood on each side of the top of the granite steps. Two women appeared by their sides.
“The first part of your cleansing is complete.” One of the women spoke but the brightness concealed the speaker. “When you are ready, put on the garments left for you here and continue into the next chamber.”
The light dimmed after a few moments. One woman and one man stood waiting for Brea and Araman at the top of the steps. Each attendant held out a long sleeveless tunic as they reached the top of the stairs. Each tunic was held at the waist with a tiny gold clasp.
The attendants took a step back and with a gesture of their heads, they indicated they were to be followed. Brea looked over to Araman with an ‘are you sure look’. He took her hand and pulled her close then kissed her forehead.
“Shall we get this over and done with?” Araman grinned down at her.
“That is not the attitude to enter with.” Brea softly admonished.
“Ah, but when a man is about to lose his freedom forever, he wants to get things over with.” He smiled when he saw her lips pull upward. “It’s what comes after that which gives man a better attitude.”
“What comes after?” Brea glanced up with sultry pale eyes.
“The honeymoon?” He whispered against her ear.
Brea drew back. “You look at this as a marriage?”
Araman nodded. “In the eyes of Shinwa it is. It’s just the marriage to beat all marriages being forever and all. So Brea, Warrior of Shinwa, I am asking you to become both my wife and my Chatam Pritam?”
“Is this how it is done on Olean?” Brea asked with a smile causing her eyes to shimmer.
“It’s a little more formal with a ring and all.” He looked down to the ground and then to her eyes. “I have no ring Brea, but I have my heart, and it is yours if you want it.” Araman put it simply.
She put her hand in his and looked up at him. “Your heart is all you need.”
“And what of yours?” He asked her pulling her close.
“You held mine already.” Brea answered as he guided her to the arched rock doorway.
Araman stepped through, holding Brea’s hand into the immense white cavern. The walls were veined with streaks of gold and silver streaks. Light bounced from the smooth surface like tiny balls of energy brightening the cavern. In the middle of the naturally polished floor sat a pile of large red cushions.
“Sit.” Came the instruction from somewhere over head. The two stepped towards the pillows and sat down facing each other. An attendant dressed in white came forward with a tray of two small cups. Each cup held a small amount of a steaming clear greenish liquid. It smelled sweet and spicy. She handed a cup to each of them before retreating into the rays of bright light.
Brea sipped hers. “It’s tunneling seed.” She whispered to Araman who was hesitant to taste his.
“What will it do?”
Brea smiled at his scrutiny of the brew. “It will help you during the ritual. It will allow your human side to float with the tunneling.”
“And what does it do for you?” He asked and then took a sip. The sweet of the brew hit his tongue first.
“It helps relax my body for the tunneling process.” Brea set her empty cup beside her.
A slow low drumbeat started in the background as Araman raised his cup and drained the contents. He watched as Brea crossed her legs and rested her hands palms up on her knees. Araman did the same except instinctively he placed his hands face down over hers. His eyes held hers as their breathing fell in rhythm with the drum.
Araman could feel his entire body relax as he felt Brea’s fingers clasp around his. He smiled at the familiar scent of her cinnamon musk filling the air. He ached for her to be closer. As if Brea had read his mind she maneuvered on top of him straddling his waist with her legs. Araman’s hands slid up her spin and held her giving her support.
Their bodies began to move to the soft beat of the drums echoing from behind the cascade of light surrounding them. Skin on skin, gliding against each other as they stoked the energies lying within their spiritual chakkras.
Brea plac
ed her hand over his heart as they rocked back and forth. She felt a surge of heat up her arm and spread like trails of fire throughout her web. She let out a cry from the intensity of the flames he was fanning with his energies. She pulled him into her needing to feel the sensation of his breath in between her breasts. She inhaled a deep breath of his sandalwood musk wanting him to fill her.
Araman felt her needs and wants in the wake of his own as the drumbeats quickened. His mind could not longer think as it melted into instinctive passion. He was only aware of Brea’s touch and her soft lips against his throat; the stimulation of her breath against his body; the sudden intense craving for the release of her nectar.
Brea gasped as her eyes flew open and met Araman’s gaze. His eyes darkened to pewter as they promised her primal passion. She leaned back letting his hands hold her weight until her back touched the silky pillow. Araman’s fingers slid down the length of her legs and gently unlocked them from around his waste. He kissed the inside of her thigh before lowering each leg down. Brea quivered in anticipation.
A smile crossed his face as she infused the air with a spurt of her cinnamon perfume. His fingers slid up her legs to the petals of the flower holding the elixir. He lowered his mouth and brushed his lips against her bud.
“I…” Araman’s voice exposed his raw need. “I must…I must…drink.”
Brea’s fingers left a sizzling trail of electrical currents along his shoulders and up to his temples where she rubbed sending tiny volts into his third eye. When her thumbs touched between his brows an explosion of lights set off in his mind. His third eye was opened.
Araman lowered his mouth aligning his psychic chakkra with her spiritual chakkra. Brea felt warm sensations wash upwards and spread through her body like the gentle waters on the shoreline. As his lips hovered above her aching bud, he intensified the energy from his third eye to her web. Brea quivered beneath him. Her breath became ragged and her hands held his scalp.
“Please.” Brea’s voice was a rasp.
It was all the encouragement Araman needed as his tongue dove into her hot wet slit. Brea writhed against him as he stroked her gently with his fingers while his tongue thrust against her inner folds. His mouth found her clit and the pull of his suckling only hardened her nub further.
Brea’s breathing became rhythmic with drums as his hands came about her waist and gripped. His strong hold on her shattered her senses as his tongue once again teased her, stoking the ache to a burn within her. He felt his loins harden at the taste of her honey. He wanted more. Araman had to have more.
One hand shifted behind Brea supporting her lower back as the other blazed a trail of fire to the top of her mound where it played and toyed with her. Gently sliding down, slipping in, stroking the hidden vessel holding the nectar and slipping out. His craving could no longer be denied as his mouth met her full red beckoning open petals.
His tongue dipped in for another taste before settling on her sweet bud. His finger took over where his tongue left off, sliding back and forth along the upper wall. His teeth grazed her nub as his finger delved deeper into her unlocking the vessel. He sucked harder as his finger pumped her nectar free. The cinnamon honey finally sated his craving.
He drew up over her and entered her hot slit with his hard cock. He slid against her, feeling the pounding need of his own release in the thrumming of his veins. Her soft walls clamped down hard as she exploded into a thousand pieces, bringing Araman with her. His seed met her flowing waters.
Araman gathered Brea up in his arms and wrapped himself around her. The energy mass their aura’s caused settled over the two like an invisible shield. Both had become one. They stayed cocooned until the last drum beat faded into silence.
Brea looked up at Araman who was smiling at her. “How do you feel?” He asked her in a low voice.
She took a deep breath before answering. “Whole.” She whispered before pausing. “How do you feel?”
“Complete.” Araman said the word slowly. He kissed her forehead.
Araman let go of Brea as she stretched her arms. He stood up and reached out his hand to help her up when the attendants appeared with more bundles of clothing.
“Please return to the previous tomb and once you are ready. The Cin’ Goh will be waiting.”
They did as they were instructed and returned to the chamber where another pool of water was waiting for them. It was cool and refreshing when Araman stepped in.
“Another cleansing?” He looked over to Brea stepping into the water.
“No I don’t think so.” She dipped under the surface then shot up. “Brrrr.” She shivered. “I think this one is to bring us from our journey. Rather like your cold showers.” Brea grinned to him as she scrambled out. She reached for a robe and wrapped herself in it.
“This isn’t as rough on the body as a blast of cold water.” Araman emerged from the pool. He took the robe Brea offered and used it to dry with rather than wear.
He held up the rectangular piece of clothing with both hands. “How does one wear this?”
“Like this.” Brea held out one end to reveal a hole at the top. She flipped it over his head then handed him a pair of loose pants that tied at the top. She handed him a silky rope to tie the garment around his waist then quickly put her garments on.
Holding hands they stepped back into the ritual chamber. Where the pillows had been, there stood a ring of white fire. Torches along the cavern’s wall reflected from the precious metals embedded in the rock. The open ceiling revealed the Shinwa moon high in the indigo night sky surrounded by sparkling stars.
In the middle of the fiery circle stood the Cin’ Goh. Her hands were crossed over her heart and her eyes were closed as if in meditation. Her face was raised to the light from the moon.
“Passion fills this rock.” She spoke softly. She gave an approving nod to the couple.
Araman stepped up to the edge and stared at the white leaping flames. He could not see anything that fed the fire but yet it still burned. He looked over to the torches and realized the room had been created out of energy, their energy. He looked over to the Cin’ Goh who smiled at him.
“White fire, the purest to burn.” She commented. Araman and Brea stepped through the ghostly flames. “It pleases the council and this Chatam Pritam union is blessed by Elyk.” She pointed towards the full yellow moon. “It will also please you Araman to know that Olean will officially recognize your union here as a marriage ritual. Olean will receive Brea as your wife and equal. Your Regent has reassured myself and the council that our request will be met.”
Brea looked up at Araman with a puzzled expression. “What request?”
“The council asked as part of the negotiations under an alliance between Shinwa and Olean, that Araman’s marriage to you, the Chatam Pritam ritual, be recognized as a marriage aligning two states therefore granting our worlds an automatic alliance.”
The Cin’ Goh turned around and took a step. “I have overseen many rituals for the Chatam Pritam. I had only been told of the white fires but until this eve, I never cast my eyes upon it.”
She gestured for them to follow and led them to the outside of the bathing tombs. The air was cooler and felt good against Araman’s skin. He turned to say something to the healer but she was gone. Instead his gaze fell to Brea who stood with her eyes up at the Shinwa night.
“I want to return to Olean.” She said quietly with a soft sigh. “I miss my pet. I miss the moons.” Her lips broadened into a smile. “I miss your cooking.”
Araman chuckled as he pulled her into his arms. “I miss my cooking. The stewed bark we ate is not what I would call tasty.” He grinned, “Although it was quite amusing to watch Santari eat three bowls of it.”
“He made the mistake of saying to the cook it was good.” She let out a small laugh at Santari’s expression of pain when the third bowl was handed to him.
He caught her face in his hands and kissed the top of her jeweled nose. “I think Lyra.…”
“Commandant!” Santari’s voice came through the dark pathway just before his shadowy frame surfaced. Araman knew the tone of his voice.
“It’s urgent,” he said to Brea before pulling her into run. Santari saw the two coming and turned around disappearing back up the path to the pod.
“Herse is waiting for you.” Santari said when they reached the doors of the ship. “He’s not happy.” Araman stepped inside and headed for the communications console. Santari came up from behind and keyed in the secure line.
Herse’s jowly face appeared on the screen scowling. “Commandant, your little detour has caused the military quite a stir.”
“The military issued a being into my care, who was injured during the mission protecting an officer of this military. I could not in good conscious continue the mission without tending to her wounds or she would have died. We were also in the process of escaping hostile territory and were unable to communicate lest we gave them our position.”
“Your Commander has made a full detailed report, Commandant. Consider yourself verbally disciplined.” Herse cleared his throat after the meaningless admonishment then leveled his eyes to Araman through the viewer.
“Oleander is protesting the alliance between Shinwa and Olean claiming territorial rights and claiming it is a political snub by Shinwa. They are fixing on a hostile exchange with us if we back the Novenians. It’s the usual double talk. They have no interest in protecting Shinwa. Santari’s assumption was correct, they want the metals. We have enough Intelligence to substantiate the claims although this is the least of the worries.”
“Least of the worries?” Araman raised an eyebrow. He got the feeling he was not going to like what he about to hear.
“At the moment we have the entire Novenian Fleet blocking our trade routes and outlying areas in demand of the return of their delegates. Oleander is remaining silent, which is antagonizing the Novenians. They are making demands on Olean to meet or we will be subject to an attack.”
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